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Reducing HIV and AIDS in Adolescents: Opportunities and Challenges

  • The Global Epidemic (Q Abdool Karim, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Adolescents are critical to efforts to end the AIDS epidemic. Few national AIDS strategies explicitly program for children in their second decade of life. Adolescents (aged 10–19 years) are therefore largely invisible in global, regional, and country HIV and AIDS reports making it difficult to assess progress in this population. We have unprecedented knowledge to guide investment towards greater impact on HIV prevention, treatment, and care in adolescents, but it has not been applied to reach those most vulnerable and optimize efficiency and scale. The cost of this is increasing AIDS-related deaths and largely unchanged levels of new HIV infections in adolescents. An AIDS-free generation will remain out of reach if the global community does not prioritize adolescents. National AIDS responses must be accountable to adolescents, invest in strengthening and monitoring protective and supportive laws and policies and access for adolescents to high impact HIV interventions.

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Conflict of Interest

Susan Kasedde declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Chewe Luo declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Craig McClure declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Upjeet Chandan declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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  1. UNICEF, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017, USA

    Susan Kasedde, Chewe Luo, Craig McClure & Upjeet Chandan

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  1. Susan Kasedde
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Kasedde, S., Luo, C., McClure, C. et al. Reducing HIV and AIDS in Adolescents: Opportunities and Challenges. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 10, 159–168 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-013-0159-7

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